After the Apocalypse (2004) User Reviews

Too Long. Very boring

[obonin · 4/10 · 7 February 2005]

Pretty nothing really happens in the movie. The interaction b/w the actors is very basic due to the context but their acting is basic too. The idea behind the movie related to the director's experience in Australia, where he spent some time as a total stranger trying to discover a world he didn't know and of which he didn't speak the language. But that's it, an interesting idea. Every scene is just stretched to its maximum. The directing was pushed to the limit of wondering if it is done in a pretentious arty way or if the director is just not good. On top of this, another good idea was the sound and music composed for the movie. All sounds were recorded afterward and added on. Another artifact if well directed could have been great, but again it feels pretentious, as the result is not very good.

Without explanation as to how or why, a small group of survivors find themselves trying to eke out and existence after a cataclysmic event.

[chp35mm · 20 February 2005]

The film follows the simple day-to-day existence of a character who has found three other people after seeming to have thought he was alone. While never explained, there is an assumption that our characters are the ragtag remaining few after some sort of devastating event or disease. The production avoids the cliché of a stark-devastated landscape in favor of one simply devoid of other people. The beauty of this piece lies in the fact that we find ourselves caring deeply about all the characters, despite their actions. A scene of one of our main character finding an old abandoned bathtub and taking a bath is both beautiful and sad at the same time. The most astonishing aspect of this film is that it manages to capture both the subtleties and personalities of a small cast without ever saying a word. There are no huge scenes and no hokey miming. Yet, we worry for the characters. I admit to being something of an easy mark but this film really touched me. I screened it for a film festival and have proceeded to tell people about it for months. It has managed to stay with me in a way that most of the recent mainstream releases (even when I enjoyed them) have not.

Brave attempt to a different kind of post-apocalyptic film, but ended up a trainwreck

[koudgerecht · 3/10 · 5 July 2008]

An interesting idea, but a very flawed execution. The movie is slow, but that's a positive thing. What isn't, are the stupid actions of the characters just to interact with other humans. It looks some of these actions (like the doll the main character brings to the woman when her 'boyfriend' throws it a few yards away: why doesn't she picks it up herself after the boyfriend leaves?) have just not been thought through.

Besides this, the interaction and acting reminded me sometimes of a Buster Keaton-film, but as a poor mans version. Unintentionally funny to the point when it becomes tedious and annoying. I'm a really big fan of post-apocalyptic movies, and although this film tries to do it some other way than just be another Mad Max rip-off, it fails horribly.

Creative and full of emotions

[bakeruthie · 8/10 · 14 June 2005]

After the Apocalypse has a very original approach to telling this type of story. The acting is very good and primal, and the directing is great. The locations and wardrobe are appropriate. The sound design is very creative, and really enhances the story and picture. Everything put together this way allows the viewer to travel through the whole gamut of emotions with the characters as they come to realize their situations and attempt to communicate with each other. It is refreshing to see such a different approach to film making. Watching this film is an interesting journey. This film really takes you on a journey out of yourself. Perhaps it took me to a place in my brain that has not been accessed much since I was a child.

After the Apocalypse

[spellcaster-1 · 1 January 2005]

AFTER THE APOCALYPSE somewhat reminded me of a Quest for Fire type flick (in a weird way) done in a David Lynch format. Set in a bleak, post-urban landscape in the aftermath of the Third World War. Five survivors trying to make sense of a New World after a devastating urban catastrophe challenges all their human needs. It seems that this group of four men and one woman are forced to communicate to each other without speaking, because of deadly toxins in the air.

As stated before when I compare Yasuaki Nakajima's to that of Lynch, I do so in the manner of Nakajima's vision for showing us a world through landscapes and environmental thematic situations. With masturbations, a cannibalism and rape situation, a line has been severed and the reality sets in. Discovering sand for the first time would be an oversight to most, but is precious to the characters in this film. Nakajimas' implementation of dramatic situations through the woman survivor, such as being alone and giving birth, in a world so messed up. To me that is just plain terrifying, I could only imagine how she must have felt..

AFTER THE APOCALYPSE is an eerie, yet beautiful film. The pure simplicity of the story flows like a cloud and really reaches the viewer. The acting was superb as each piece of the puzzle is crafted and the tensions are raised, at the hands of the actors, throwing out the script at times and showing us their own interpretations. I felt that was another huge aspect of making this such a dramatic film. And it doesn't hurt when the one behind the helm lends his hand at the acting duties; and very well done at that. AFTER THE APOCALYPSE is a very unique and well directed film, which makes me believe there's some great talent to keep an eye out for. AFTER THE APOCALYPSE is just a damn fine flick..

Creates a vivid portrait of a post-war wasteland.

[frontpix · 9/10 · 13 December 2004]

Yasuaki Nakajima has done a masterful job of creating a knockout film from obviously limited resources, using a brilliantly executed sound design in place of dialogue and a set of locations that are perfect for his story line. His own acting in the film is also first-rate and I especially liked his scenes with the woman, as well as the excellent opening in which he emerges through a heavy metal door into the moaning wind of some earth-shattering disaster. Rather than spell out what has created the apocalypse, Nakajima wisely treats his film as an allegory -- e.g. if this were the aftermath of a nuclear bomb, wouldn't the survivors become ill with radiation poisoning? The film has added relevance at a time when some world leaders once again seem hell-bent on making war, ignoring its historical consequences. Congratulations on a terrific job.

Post apocalyptic drama about starving not for food, but for being touched by other human beings.

[cedar-8 · 8/10 · 21 May 2005]

I had the chance to see the film "After the Apocalypse" a couple of months ago, and though the feminist in me had some difficulties liking the female character for what I considered a certain lack of character, I was quite taken by the atmosphere and the fact that anyone will understand the movie without having to understand English. There were many moments that made the film absolutely worthwhile for they were filled with a sincere humanity, that made one relate to those rugged remains of society. The scene do not only show the endearing side of us, but also the things we are capable of doing, when we are starving... be it for food or for the touch of another person.

It is mesmerizing to watch...

[juliemoria · 10/10 · 12 July 2004]

It is mesmerizing to watch the interaction of the post apocalyptic survivors. With no dialogue, and reminiscent to the stylings of Jean-Jacques Annaud, we witness the stragglers of humanity and their will to survive. Through body language and primitive drawings we watch the story unfold and relationships form. One woman among four men evolves into tension and jealousy. We also witness love, loyalty and feasting. In spite of the horror that the world has become, the absolute need for companionship is paramount. The results give us hope for mankinds continued existence. A gritty, realistic portrayal of humanity in a new dawn. Great story telling set to a great score.

Survivors of an apocalyptic war struggle to connect but harmful gases make it impossible for them to speak

[whysmith · 10/10 · 4 June 2005]

The very idea of a movie that has no dialogue intrigued me from the start, and 'After the Apocalyse' does not disappoint. It is an innovative, beautiful tale of people trying to connect with each other after a devastating war--without the ability to speak. Yasuaki Nakajima does not shy away from the crasser aspects of post- apocalyptic living, yet he poignantly shows how people must depend on one another in order to survive. The actors demonstrate a terrific range of emotion and somehow, without voices, reveal their characters' distinct personalities. The use of sound is brilliant and Nakajima has a poetic eye. He proves that a lot can be said through very little.